Farris W. Womack, professor of education, School of Education, and former executive vice president and chief financial officer, retired from active faculty status on February 28, 1998.

Professor Womack received his B.A. Degree from the University of Central Arkansas in 1955 and his M.Ed. and Ed.D. degrees from the University of Arkansas in 1958 and 1972, respectively. From 1971-75, he served as director of institutional research at Arkansas State University. In 1975, he moved to the University of Arkansas, where he was the director of budget planning and development until 1977, vice president for administration from 1977-79, and executive vice president from 1979-81; concurrently, he was an associate professor of higher education from 1975-79 and full professor from 1979-83. In 1981, Professor Womack became the director of the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. In 1983, he moved to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as vice chancellor for finance and professor of higher education. He was appointed controller of the State of North Carolina in 1987 and joined the University of Michigan in 1988 as vice president and chief financial officer and professor of education. His title was changed to executive vice president and chief financial officer in 1993.

Within the School of Education, Professor Womack contributed to the graduate program in higher education by teaching courses in business and finance, by mentoring graduate students, and by serving on dissertation committees. He published articles in such journals as Planning for Higher Education, Research in Education, and Educational Research. He has made numerous presentations to professional organizations and has served as consultant-evaluator to such groups as the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions of Institutions of Higher Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

During his tenure as executive vice president and chief financial officer, the University's endowment grew fivefold, to more than $1.7 billion, and the institution became the only public university to earn an Aal credit rating. Within the business and finance arena, he undertook a number of initiatives aimed at enhancing diversity, recognizing the contributions of staff, enhancing staff development, and instituting the principles of Total Quality Management.

The Regents now salute this faculty member and administrator for his dedicated service by naming Farris W. Womack professor emeritus of education and executive vice president and chief financial officer emeritus.